Who to see at Secret Stages: Hiss Golden Messenger

In its second year, Secret Stages can still be an overwhelming festival. With over 80 bands and comedians performing in Birmingham's Historic Loft District over two days in May, people sometimes have a difficult time choosing which emerging acts to see.

The easy answer is "all of them," but it's not practical. The festival has a lineup with enough diversity to satisfy every taste: rock, country and hip-hop acts from every corner of America invade bars and clubs like Matthew's Bar & Grill, Pale Eddie's Pour House, Metro Bar, Das House, Rogue Tavern, Steel Urban Lounge, and the Wine Loft. VIP weekend passes are $60, while a general admission weekend pass is $25. Day passes are $15. All passes allow admittance to all bars that are part of the festival. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.secretstages.net.

I have chosen a few artists from different parts of the musical spectrum to highlight. I'll not be able to touch all of the terrific music that will soundtrack the Magic City on May 11 - 12, but perhaps these pieces can offer some direction.

Hiss Golden Messenger comes to Secret Stages from Durham, N.C. The band delivers a singer-songwriter style that has the Scott Register seal of approval. You may have heard Reg talk about how much he loves the band on The Morning Blend with Reg when joined by our own Carla Jean Whitley for The Buzz each Thursday at 9 a.m. on Birmingham Mountain Radio. The band will now offer two performances on Saturday, May 12: at 3:45 p.m., they will grace the Artist Stage and at 10:30 p.m., they will perform at the Wine Loft (21 and up). I spoke to MC Taylor about his fascination with Birmingham and the band's success overseas.

Blake Ells for Birmingham Box Set: You name drop Birmingham a lot. A lot of good memories here or just easy to rhyme?

MC Taylor: (laughs) I don't know. I'm drawn to the place. I've always wanted to name a record "Another Reason to Go to Birmingham."

I pass through. And it's sort of emblematic of a particular version of the South that I'm drawn to - from the beautiful and the terrible legacy of the South.

BE: Have you performed here?

MT: I'm pretty sure this is the first trip.

BE: Why did you leave San Francisco for North Carolina?

MT: It was just time for a change. I went to grad school at UNC.

BE: Will you be playing with a full band here?

MT: This will be solo. We record with a full band, but I can never afford to take a full band on the road.

BE: Why have you spent more time touring overseas than in the States?

MT: That's a situation where I can make more money.

BE: I hear that a lot. Why is the reception better there?

MT: I suspect it has something to do with playing American roots music there. In England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales - it's exotic. Here, people take it for granted, but over there, it's special.

BE: Where did the name come from?

MT: It's sort of Biblical and it just sort of came from my own head.

BE: Tell me about your live show.

MT: It sort of depends on the venue. But it can be a frightening display of emotion. It can turn into a comedy show, it just depends on what people feel like.